How a lot the typical UK household spends on their weekly meals store

Have you ever ever puzzled how a lot the typical household or family within the UK spends on their weekly meals store?

Figuring out how a lot others spend may also help us set our personal budgets, maintain payments on observe, and discover methods to avoid wasting.

At this time, we’re diving into the world of grocery payments – whether or not you’re flying solo or a part of a household of 4.

Relying on how many individuals are in your family, it could make a distinction to the typical value per individual.

It’s not nearly multiplying a one-person spend by 4 (if that’s how many individuals dwell in your house). Properties with extra individuals will usually spend (on common) much less per individual as you’ll be able to reap the benefits of bulk buys and reductions on greater pack sizes.

Understanding the UK’s meals spending habits

Over the previous decade, we’ve seen huge shifts in our meals purchasing habits.

One of many largest modifications has been the regular improve in spending.

This isn’t simply attributable to rising meals costs; it additionally displays a change in our consuming patterns and preferences.

Just a few years in the past, the development was in the direction of worth and comfort, with a lift within the recognition of price range supermarkets and prepared meals.

Nonetheless, latest years have seen a rising curiosity in well being and sustainability, with extra individuals keen to spend a bit further on natural produce, plant-based choices, and environmentally pleasant packaging.

It’s not nearly what you store for – the place you reside within the UK additionally performs a job in your meals spending. Usually, city areas, particularly within the South of England, see greater meals expenditures than rural areas.

Life-style and dietary decisions even have a huge impact on meals spending. A family of vegetarians or vegans would possibly spend much less on common in comparison with those that embrace meat of their eating regimen, as meat tends to be dearer.

Equally, households with particular dietary wants, like gluten-free or dairy-free, will discover their grocery payments a bit greater because of the premium worth of those specialised merchandise.

However, for an general view, let’s take a look at how a lot individuals spend on groceries.

Common common meals invoice

The common individual within the UK spends about £62.20 every week on meals. This additionally contains spending on non-alcoholic drinks like tea/espresso, fruit juices and squash.

That may not look like loads (or possibly it does?)

This determine contains every part out of your morning cereal to the cheeky chocolate bar you deal with your self to after work.

Nonetheless, these figures are primarily based on survey information to the tip of 2022 (as quickly as new information is launched, we’ll replace).

As much as January 2024, meals costs continued to soar by 8%! Round 40% of individuals have needed to spend extra money when meals purchasing to get their regular trolleys, and survey outcomes from October 2023 present that 47% of individuals are shopping for lower than they normally do.

Bear in mind, that is simply a mean – some spend extra, and a few spend much less, significantly on per week to week foundation.

For example, I don’t purchase washing detergent each week, and I attempt to price range for cheaper meals once I know we’ll have further prices for cleansing merchandise in others.

Distinction in the place you reside

The averages additionally work out in another way relying on the place you reside within the nation.

Households within the South East, London and Northern Eire usually spend extra every week than these dwelling within the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Common meals prices over time

The common spending on groceries has modified through the years, going up when individuals had been at residence throughout COVID after which sharply falling:

• 2020 – £64.90
• 2021 – £70.40
• 2022 – £62.20

Weekly invoice for one

Dwelling alone? Primarily based on ONS information, your weekly meals invoice is perhaps round £33.50.

This covers all of your meals, snacks, and even particular weekend treats.

It’s necessary to do not forget that though you’re solely shopping for for one, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover intelligent methods to avoid wasting, like batch cooking or shopping for store-brand merchandise.

Weekly grocery invoice for a household of 4

A household of 4 within the UK spends about £86.30 weekly on meals. On common, this works out to round £374 a month.

That’s breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and all of the snacks in between for 2 adults and two little ones.

Feeding a household will be expensive, however you’ll be able to take advantage of each penny with good purchasing and meal planning.

Common weekly spend for 2

In case you’re a part of a duo, your common weekly meals store is perhaps round £63.70.

Whether or not it’s you and a flatmate otherwise you and your accomplice, this determine may also help information your price range.

Cooking at residence and planning meals generally is a game-changer for saving cash.